Feb. 16, 2010
DURHAM, N.C. -
The North Carolina Central University softball team will kick-off the 2010 season this Wednesday, Feb. 17, when they head up the road to face North Carolina State University (2-2) in their season-opener at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
The game was originally scheduled for 5 p.m., but has been changed to 4 p.m. Live statistics will be available through the NC State website at GoPack.com or you can access the live stats link through NCCUEaglePride.com.
Lady Eagle fans can listen to the action live on www.NCCUEaglePride.com as Chris Hooks, the play-by-play voice of the Eagles, brings live coverage from the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium.
Wednesday's matchup will mark the first meeting between the two softball programs. It will be the Lady Eagles' first and only Atlantic Coast Conference opponent this season, while serving as a homecoming event for NCCU head coach Mike Charlton, who is a 1997 graduate of NC State. He was a member of the Wolfpack football team.
The Lady Eagles will enter the game following the cancellation of two doubleheaders that they were scheduled to host last week. Due to field and weather conditions, those two games will have to be rescheduled. With those cancellations, NCCU has yet to play a game in the 2010 season.
NCCU finished the 2009 season with a 5-43 record with three of those victories coming at home. This season, they return eight from last year's squad, including six starters. They will carry 17 student-athletes this season with three seniors, one junior, five sophomores and eight freshmen.
The Wolfpack come into the matchup after splitting four contests at the FIU Combat Classic last weekend in Miami, Fla. NC State defeated Providence and North Florida during the classic, but fell to No. 20 UMass and Illinois-Chicago to take away a 2-2 mark over the weekend.
Traffic congestion is a possibility as NC State will host a welcoming reception for Chancellor-elect Woodson at Reynolds Coliseum. Fans planning to attend the softball game are asked to park in the parking deck off of Cates Ave. and enter the deck via Dunn Ave. or Jeter Dr.
For more information on Lady Eagle softball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
